Presser-foot mechanism for blindstitch sewing-machines



T. J. HAYES.

` PRESSER FOOT MECHANISMFOH BLINDSTLICH SEWING MACHINES.

APPLLcATloN minne. 8, 191L 1,341,233. Patenfd May 25 1920.

@fi '7 5 7 gf Inventor. Thomas J. Hayes WMMKM UNITED STATES PATENT oFHFlcE.

THOMAS J. HAYES, OF ROSLINDALE, MASSACHUSETTS. ASSIG1\T0R` TO ARBETTER FELLING- MACHINE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MAINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Application filed February 28, 1917. Serial No. 151,427.

T0 all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. HAYEs, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Roslindale, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Presser-Foot Mechanisms for Blindstitch Sewing-Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in presser foot mechanisms for blind stitch sewing machines of the type in which the stitches are formed by a curved oscillating needle and complemental stitch forming mechanism located above the work support.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a removable guide for the superimposed layer so secured to the presser foot that it may be removed from operative position in order to permit thick seams to pass through the presser foot and pass the stitch forming mechanism, also in order that 1t may be removed to enable the operator to see the work in turning corners of the garments, etc.

The present invention comprises certain improvements upon the structure which is disclosed in a general manner in my prior application No. 94,987, filed May 2, 1916. The presser foot disclosed in that application comprises essentially a heel portion, forwardly extending major and minor toe portions, the major toe portion being recessed to form a needle throat and the minor toe portion being provided with a guide located adjacent to said needle throat having means Jfor engaging the upper surface and edge of the superimposed layer and directing the same in advance of and adjacent to the stitching point within the needle throat.

While the mechanism disclosed in the prior application is in the main satisfactory it is found desirable at times to remove the guide from its operative position .for the purpose above set forth. The present invention, therefore, contemplates the provision of means for releasably securing the guide in its normal or operative position, means alsopreferably being provided for throwing the guide out of operative position immediately upon its release.

l'n ite broader aspect the present invention includes the pivotal mounting of a guide for the superimposed layer upon the presser foot whether the same be located adjacent tc the needle throat or a distance therefrom and whether the guide is attached to the minor toe portion, the major toe portion or the heel or support of the presser foot so long as it is capable of being removed from operative position ior the purposes herein set forth.

Another object ot the invention is to provide a novel form of locking means which will retain the guide in operative position and take up any wear which may occur by reason of long usage.

Other objects and features of the invention and the nature thereof will more fully appear from the followingdescription, the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, l

Figure 1 is a plan view of the presser foot showing the guide in operative position,

Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal sectional view, illustration of the major toe portion being omitted, and,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on lines 3-3, Fig. 1.

The presser foot illustrated in the drawing comprises a heel portion 1 having for wardly extending major and minor toe portions 2 and 3 preferably integral with the heel portion. The heel portion is also provided with upwardly extending ears 4, 5 having suitable apertures 6, 7 for bolts or screws to secure the presser foot to the hook bracket or other supporting means carried by the head of the sewing machine. The rear central portion of the heel is provided with the usual recess S to receive the shank which extends from the bobbin case :1nd prevents its rotation within the rotary hook.

The major toe portion is provided with a recess 9 adjacent the heel portion to form a needle throat Within the area of which, the needle enters the material being operated upon. the needle throat also serving to permit the baselayer to be thrust upwardly into the path of the oscillating needle.

A part, preferably about one half, of the major toe portion reduced by milling or otherwise to provide a flat needle guiding surface l() for supporting the needle as it penetrates the material so that its point will not be deflected into engagement with the heel portion of the presser foot, the heel portion also being provided with a guiding portion 11 like the surface 10 to support the needle after it has passed through the material.

The inner edge of the major toe portion desirably is provided with a rib 12 adapted to prevent lateral deflection of the needle by the strain imposed upon it when passing through the material.

The under surface of the minor toe portion is provided with a curved cloth engagingl face 13 which converges toward the stitching-point and exten ds a short distance beyond the rear edge of the needle throat and formsl with the vertical wall 1st of a slot 15 in the front of the heel portion, a guiding means which directs the edge of the superimposed layer. The curved surface 13 bears upon the upper surface of the superimposed layer and b y reason of its convergence toward the stitching point serves to crowd the superimposed layer into position in which the needle will unfailingly enter its vunder surface.

In order properly to present the superimposed layer to the needle a guide is provided Which engages the upper surface of the layer which overhangs the needle guiding rib l2 and extends beyond the curved surface 13 of the bottom of the minor tee portion, and preferably has a means which einbraees and directs the edge of the layer so that it passes at an angle across the path of the oscillating needle, this guide being pivotally mounted in such a manner that it can be removed from operative position to enable theoperator to see the work at the stitching point in introducing the work or in turning corners oi' to permit heavy seams to pass.

The preferred form of guide which is illustrated' herein comprises a plate 16 preferably of sheet metal having a curved or preferably conoidal end portion 17 to engage the upper surface and embrace the edge ofthe superimposed layer. This `guide plate 16 desirably is riveted or otherwise curedto a plate 18 which in turn is adjustably secured to a block 19 by a screw 2O passing through an enlarged aperture or slot 21 in the block 19. This adjustment of the guide plate 16 enables the curved end portion of the guide which embraces the yedge of the superimposed layer to be positioned transversely of the line of stitching so that it may be properly located to guide fabrics of; different thickness or stiffness .n properly' into the path of the needle. The

block 19 isi pivotally mounted upon a rod or allel to the line of stitching and is supported at one end in a suitable recess in the presser foot supporting ear 5 and at the other end in a boss 23 which extends upwardly from the forward end of the minor toe portion.

Any suitable means may be provided for locking the guide in operative position and for removing the same from such position within the spirit and scope of my invention.

A preferred locking means which is illustrated herein comprises a lever which is pivotally secured upon :iy screw or post connect ed to the inclined side Q5 of the ear 5 a suitable washer preferably being interposed between the lever and the inclined surface of said ear. rlfhe lever desirably is of snlr stantially L-shapc, one arin providing a hair (llc 26 while the other arm 2i" extends over and engages at its bottom an inclined surface 2S upon a rearward extension of the block 19. rl`he lever is also provided wiili an extension 29 to which is secured the end of a helical spring 30 which is anchored V at its lower end upon a stud 31. secured to the heel portion of the presser foot in such a position that the axis of the spring $30 lies in the plane of the lever 2G.

In the operation of the locking` mechanism the spring 30 normally forces the. arm 27 of the lever into engagement with the inclined surface 2S upon the block l5) and holds the block firmly down in its seat so that the guide for the superimposed layer is retained in operative position. By reason of the engagement of the lever with the inclined surface 28 any wear which may occur between the parts will be automatically taken up by the pressure of the spring. By placing the spring in the plane of oscillation of the lever at a suitable distance from its pivot the spring serves to limit the movement of the lever when it actuated to release the bloclr 19'.

In order automatically to remove the guide from operative position when it is relefsed a helical spring 32 may be seated in a suitable socket directly beneath the block 18.

The presser foot desirably is provided with a cross bar 33 which extends across the central portion of the presser foot at the rear of the needle throat and prevents the needle thread from being thrown into the path of the hook when the machine is rinining idly.

It will be understood that the embodiment of my invention disclosed herein is illustrative merely and that various inodii' fications may be made'within the spirit and scope of the following claims which are designed broadly to cover any form of guide for a superimposed layer which is nivotally mounted upon the presser foot or the means lli lllfi for supporting the presser foot and serves to direct the upper surface and edge of the superimposed layer into the path of the needle.

It is also to be understood that various modifications in the form, location and con struction of the guide for the superimposed layer may be made within the spirit and sccipe of my invention.

. aving thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon a base layer of material, comprising a heel portion and forwardly extending toe portions, a guide for the edge of the superimposed layer pivotally mounted upon said presser foot and rotatable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the line of stitching and releasable means for locking said guide in operative position whereby said guide may be swung aside to permit inspection of the work and to allow the passage of thick seams.

2. A presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon a base layer of material, comprising a heel portion and forwardly extending toe portions apertured to form a needle throat, a guide for the edge of the superimposed layer pivotally mounted upon one of said toe portions in advance of the needle throat and rotatable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the line of stitching and having a conically curved work engaging portion adapted to embrace and direct the superimposed layer in advance of, and in proximity to, the stitching point and means for releasably securingr said guide in operative position.

3. In a presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon a base layer of material comprising a heel portion and forwardly extending toe portions apertured to form a needle throat, a guide for the superimposed layer pivotally secured to one of said toe portions in advance of said needle throat and adapted to engage and direct the superimposed layer in advance of and in proximity to the stitching point, means for releasably securing. said guide in operative pos1tion and resilient means for throwing said guide out of operative osition when released.

4. n a presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon a base layer of material comprising a heel p0rtion and forwardly extending toe portions apertured to form a needle throat, a guide for the superimposed layer pivotally secured to one of said toe portions and positioned. to engage said. layer in advance of the stitching point, a spring actuated lever normally locking said guide in operative position and resilient means for throwing said guide out of position when the locking lever is released therefrom.

5. A, presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon a base layer of material, comprising a heel portion, forwardly extending major and minor toe portions, the major toe portion being re cessed to form a needle throat and having needle guiding means, a guide for the superimposed. layer having means adapted to embrace the edge of the superimposed layer pivotally mounted upon said minor toe portion and overhanging said needle guiding means and releasable means for locking said guide in operative position.

6. A presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon a base layer of material comprising a heel portieri, forwardly extending major and minor toe portions, the major toe portion being recessed to form a needlethroat and the minor toe portion having a convexedly curved cloth engaging face converging toward the stitching point in said throat opening, a guide for the superimposed layer adapted. to engage the upper surface and to embrace the edge thereof adjacent to and in advance of the stitching point pivotally secured to said minor toe portion and releasable means for locking said guide in operative position.

7. A presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed. layer upon a base layer of material comprising a heel portion having upwardly extending ears and forwardly extending inaj or and minor toe portions, the major tee portion being recessed to form a needle throat, a guide for the suvperimposed layer pivotally mounted upon said minor toe portion adjacent to the necdle throat adapted to engage the upper surface and edge of the superimposed layer in advance of the stitching point, a locking lever mounted upon one of said ears adapted to engage said guide, a spring acting normally to retain said lever in locking position and means for removing the guide from operative position when released from engagement with said locking lever.

8. A presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon a base layer of material comprising a heel portion having upwardly extending laterally inclined ears and forwardly extending majer and minor toe portions, the major toe portion being recessed to form a needle throat, a guide for the superimposed layer pivotally mounted upon said minor toe portion adjacent the throat opening adapted to engage the upper surface and to embrace theedge of a superimposed layer in advance of the stitching point, a locking lever pivotally mounted upon a stud projecting from the inclined surface of one of said ears, one arm of said lever engaginpr said guide, a helical spring connected to said lever and lying in the'plane'of oscillation thereof adapted normally to retain the lever in locking position and uponl release of said lever from locking position to limit the movement of said lever.

9. A presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon a'base layer of material comprising a heel portion having upwardly extending ears and forwardly extending major and minor toe portions, the major toe portion being recessed toform a needle throat, a guide for the superimposedv layer pivotally mounted upon said minor toe portion adjacent to the needle throat adapted to engage the upper surface and edge of the superimposed layer in advance of the stitching point, a locking lever mounted upon one of said ears adapted at its lower end to engage a beveled surface Ion said guide, a spring normally retaining said lever in locking position and resilient means for removing said guide from operative position when said lever is released from locking engagement with the guide.

l0. A presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon abase layer of material, comprising a heel portion and forwardly extending major and minor toe portions, the major toe portion being recessed to form a needle throat and provided in advance thereof with needle ll. A presser foot for sewing machines for felling a superimposed layer upon a base layer of material, comprising a heel por tion and forwardly extending major and minor toe portions, the major too portion being recessed to form a needle throat and A provided in advance thereof with needle guiding means, the minor toe portion having a convexedly curved cloth engaging :face converging toward the stitching point in said needle throat, a guide for the edge of the superimposed layer having a concii'lal cloth engaging portion overhanging said needle guiding means and converging toward the stitching point, means for adjusting said guide for the superimposed layer relatively to the needle guiding means and means for releasably locking said guide in operative position. i

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification.

rrpnioMAs J. Haras. 

